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The high after the valley

Jordan Spieth found his highest high not long after his lowest low

Jordan Spieth had to walk through the valley before he could stand on the mountain.

But he’s never stood higher.

A wayward drive on the 13th hole Sunday at the British Open put him on the side of a steep dune, unable to even hit another shot. After an endless consultation on where to hit from next, he recovered for a remarkable bogey to only fall behind Matt Kuchar by one stroke.

Then the 23-year-old Texan proceeded to put together an epic birdie-eagle-birdie-birdie string to win going away, by three strokes, and capture his third different major tournament. He joins legend Jack Nicklaus as the youngest ever to do so.

Even if you’re not a sports fan, you can take inspiration and wisdom from Spieth’s roller-coaster ride at the Open. His bad drive put him in real danger of disaster and defeat. He could’ve easily given into dread and dejection. Instead, he put together sterling shots that will live in golf and major-tournament lore — including a near-ace and a delicate 50-foot eagle putt that sealed the deal.

“This is as much of a high as I’ve ever experienced in my golfing life,” he noted.

Do you think he could’ve seen the high that lurked just beyond the dune? We doubt it. He just kept on keeping on.

It’s a lesson for us all: Spieth had to travel his valley before conquering his mountain.